Strategies to Fight Against Cravings

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Liliana Fung, One of Thousands of ADD ADHD Coaches on Noomii.

I have a lot of strategies to share with those in need to fight against cravings, I know what’s like to indulge in drinking alcohol and eating too much sweets. I still like sweets but I eat them in moderation.

Here are some strategies that can help you if you are struggling in keeping away from sweets and drugs/alcohol, toxic feelings, people pleasing (yes this could also be considered an addiction that leads to being burn out) and also if you have been abstinent for a short time but still experience cravings. Disclaimer: I will be tough on some of these strategies, I have my coach hat as I write this:

- Write down everything in a master list of things you couldn’t do while indulging in your favorite thing, that you know you can do now, such as get a doctor appt, get dentist appt, go to the gym and stick to the routine, get together with healthy people, take a walk at the beach, go breathe some air in an easy hike, etc.

(I personally got my dental appointment after 2 years of not taking good care of them, and the dentist found 11 cavities, not nice at all. I still have 5 months to pay for my dental bill. It’s not pleasant at all)

- Learning to love yourself again. You have to learn this around those who have mastered this. Be kind, be patient, treat yourself with healthy food, new clothes, and say kind affirmations to yourself. If this is new to you, if you are better at taking care of others, it’s going to be a long journey. You have to learn to love yourself, so that you won’t go to the route of following your cravings.

I also suggest to also learn to receive unconditional love, from those who model this well, especially from Jesus. Stop thinking that everyone is out there to betray you and talk behind your back!!!

- Try to add lemon juice to everything you can, or drink lemonade. It’s proven to help with cravings, It especially can help with cravings to sweet things.

- Taking care of the environment around you: remove what can trigger you, unclutter with a timer (pomodoro is great), organize piles of paper, or piles of clothes, etc

- Knowing you can help someone or something can help give confidence and puts the focus outside of your own thoughts and struggles. Some examples: getting a dog, a cat, a plant, or a fish can also help

- Going back to certain hobbies you used to do a while back, or try something new with that friend whom you know has time to do it with you

- Working on you, going to meetings (ask around and you will find the right one, whether it’s a bible study group, or a recovery group), crying as much as needed, since now you might feel feelings more instead of avoiding them when you used to indulge in something or someone. Notice this, if you have been avoiding how you really feel by doing all kinds of things, this is the time to process your feelings, get someone to listen to you and if the pain is too deep you might need a professional

- Stop killing joy by comparing yourself and stop perfectionism. You don’t have to have the perfect job, stop your pride. You never know how much you will learn from your boss, and who you might serve at your current not so perfect job

- Stop thinking that writing things down and scheduling is not your thing. Aren’t you struggling? Did you learn and not take notes when you were in college or in your last math class? If you took notes in class, you need to take some notes right now, and you need to schedule some things in your calendar so you actually stop thinking about this, and start doing them

- Many times, people struggle in an addiction because the person is not happy where they are at. Maybe you are not happy with how people treat you, maybe you have issues with authority figures, have you thought of that? Heart check!

(If you have had issues with authority figures, my tip is that you have to go far back to your parents, whoever raised you, or even someone important who didn’t lead you well, and forgive whoever you feel angry or disappointed.)

- Get an accountability partner- this will work best if your accountability partner is working on the exact same thing as you are. If you are a Christian, praying with your accountability partner once a week is important

- If you are a Christian, do what you know you need to do, if you don’t know act upon what you learned in the bible, come on! Take it day by day, and put no excuses. If you do not have time to read the bible, and you do not have time to go to bible study meeting, you don’t have time for God, and that is so sad. No wonder you are struggling but seriously, if you need the help, please don’t think God can’t use someone or a group of people. But remember, nobody can read your mind at every second, in my opinion, only God can

- If you notice you can’t handle the cravings on your own, you may need to seek a professional, attend a group meeting, or try to go on a spiritual journey. Who can you believe in the possibility of freedom that you know can help you through this?

If any of these tips are painful to go through by yourself, or even with a friend, please seek professional help, I can give you resources, I can also serve you as a coach, just message me to help you find which can be your best next step